Switch.



No. 835,415. PATENTED NOV. 6, 1906..

E.- w. GOUGH.

SWITCH.

I APPLICATION FILED mus, 1906.

wilbneaow K M W94, gum/whoa I mal conditions persist m a circuit.

EDGAR VJ. GOUGH, OF GREAT BARRlNGTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

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Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented Nov. 6, 1906.

Application filed May 3, 1905. Serial No. 258,681.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDGAR W. GoUoH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Great Barrington, county of Berkshire, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to switches, and has for its object to produce a switch-actuating mechanism which shall actuate a switch-arm in response to conditions only when such conditions shall persist for a substantial period of time. I have shown it in such relation that the switch is opened when apnort is,

however useful in other relations, such, for

- instance, as when it is desired to close a switch after certain conditions have arisen and been maintained.

Heretofore circuit breakers have been constructed which operate whenever the con- 'ditions become abnormal. It is, however, very often desirable that the circuit-breaker shall not operate at once, since the presence of such abnormal conditions for a very short period is usually not a matter of serious importance. By providing a circuit-breaker which only acts after such conditions have persistedfor a'given length of time the c ir.

' cnit is only opened when necessary.

The invention may be embodied in automatic switches or in connection with switches which are not automatic, but in which the devices are put into action by manual operation, so that in case the device is used in connection with a circuit-breaker the load will be left on the circuit for a certain specified time after a switch has been so. operated. 4o

ihe object is to provide a cheap substantial construction which can be easily ad- 'justed and set to considerable degrees of ac; curacy. The time of operation depends upon the proportions of the various parts,

and in th.e.:-.embodiment'shown.can be easily changed by changing the ratio of the gearingemployed.

tion of one feature of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic-view of apparatus embodying my invention, showing connections to the circuit. Fig. 2 represents a side eleva- Fig. 3 reppesents an end elevation of the same.

eferring more particularly to the draw ings, A represents a switch-arm engaging the contacts B, so as to close thecircuit between the generator G' and the load L. C is a spring tending to force the switch-arm A away from the contact B. D is a latch engaged by the pawl E, which is connected to the core F of a solenoid H. This switch may be regarded as representing an electricallycontrolled circuit-breaker of any ordinary type.

The solenoid H is in a circuit leading from the contacts I I lated from its shaft and by means of gears M and is driven by the spring 0, this spring 0 being capable of revolving the disk K a considerable number of times and constituting an independent source of power. The spring 0 has its outer end connected to the ratchet-wheel P and its inner end connected to the pinion, on which that wheel is mounted, and is wound by the lever Q carrying the pawl Q. The lever Q is fulcrumed on the shaft of the wheel P. The pawl R also on gages the wheel P and prevents it from moving backward. The gear N likewise meshes with gear S, which carries a disk T, the two being mounted on the same shaft. The disk T has a slot U, with which a spring-pressed pawl V engages. This pawl is of magnetic material and forms the armature of an electromagnet W, suitably supported above it. The conducting-disk K is provided with a projectionK, which is adapted to make momentary contact'with a contact X, which is connected to the main 1 The electromagnet W is connected in shunt around the solenoid H, brush J, disk K, projection K, and contact X.

to a brush J, bearing on the. hub of a conducting-disk K, which is insu- From the foregoing it will be seen that if the contacts I I were electrically connected with the limb M of the circuit the magnet W W would lift the detent V, permitting the train to revolve, and that if such electric connection with the ain M were maintained the disk K when the projection made contact with the contact X would complete the circuit through the solenoid H, which thereupon would raise its latch E. and permit the spring C to force the switch-arm A away from the contact B. If, however, contact with the main M after it had once been made so as to energize the magnet W and withdraw the pawl U from the disk S were not maintained, the disk K, when the projection K made contact with the brush X, would not (301m plete the circuit through the solenoid .H, since that circuit would not be connected to the limb M The solenoid 'H'Woul l, therefore, not be energized and the switch-arm A not released.

In order to automatically actuate the device, I provide a relay having a core Y, energized by a coil Z, preferably when intended to respond to overloads or'reverse currents in shunt to a resistance 1 in series withihe load. The coil. Z normally-magnetizes the poles of the core Y with opposite polarities, as indicated. Between the poles of the electromagnet thus produced is located a olarized-armature 2, pivoted at the point 3.

his polarizedarmature is maintained in a central position by the spring 4 and is subject to adjustment by a spring 5. nected to the main M by a conductor 6, and when sufliciently moved in either direction makes the electric contact with one of the terminals I I. It, now, there is an overload, the V olarizedarmature v2 is drawn to the left until electric contact is made with the terminal I. This energizes the magnet W,

' which withdraws the pawl V from the disk U, whereuponthe train including the disk K begins to operate. If the conditions persist long enough so that the disk K makes one complete revolution, thus bringing the -projection Kinto contact with-the brush 7 before the normal-conditions of the circuit have beenrestored, a'oircuit is completed fromthe main Mthrough'the brush X, projection K, disk 5K, lJI'llSlL J, solenoid H, contactI, armature 2, conductor 6, to'the main M resulting in energizing the solenoid H and withdrawing thedatch .E, so as to release the switch-arm A. In case, however, the conditions do not persist'until the projection K has made contactevith the brush X, the electric circuit through'the solenoid H-is not completed by contact between the projection. :Kand the brush X, being broken at the contact I, and

thereforethe switch-arm A is not released.

disease of a-reverse current the poles of the core Yaremagnetized in the :reverse direction, with the result that the armature 2 .is

drawn to thesight, so that electric contact is made withthe terminal I. Underthose-conditionsthe-same circuit'tlrrough the magnet W is established, and if the same abnormal conditions are maintained until theprojection K makes eontact with the brush X a circuit i s estabn I in the same manner as before-described, and

the switch-arin A is released. 7

In case it is desired to, operate the magnet W manually a switch 7 is provided at any convenient point; moved, so as to make engagement with the contact 8, the circuit through the magnet-W iii-established, vnd if the switch 7 is maintained closed ciently lo the circuit through the I oid H is estab ished hy'the It is con-' sued through the solenoid H.

When this switch. is.

engagement of the .projection K with the brush X, so that the switch-arm A is released as before described.

In order to retard the movement of the disk K I provide any'suitable retarding meanssuch, for instance, a magnet 9 embracing the disk and acting to set up eddy currents therein.

The armature 2 of the relay may constitute the movable element of an indicating device, so as to indicate to the eye the condition of the circuit. In. order that it may do this, I connect thereto a pointer 10, whose position'is indicated by a scale 11, as shown. When provided with proper contacts, any suitable indicating mechanism may be substituted for the relay above described. In case it is desired to provide against overloads only the contact I may be omitted.

An intermediate plate 1.2, projecting from the base, supports the inner end of the shaft of the gear b and the pawl R. It also separates the spring O from the gears of the train. The side plate 13 supports the rear end of the shaft on which the disk K is carried and also supports the magnet 9.

My invention admits of various modifications and can be used for various purposes. I do not desire to limit it to the particular arrangements of parts or to the particular arrangement of circuit connections shown, since others will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is- 1. In a time controlled switch, the combination of a switch 7 arm, electromagnetic means for releasing the same, a circuit for said electromagnetic releasing means, and means for closing said circuit, consisting of a power-actuated train, a detent for restraining said train, electromagnetic means for releasin said detent and contact devices connected with said circuit and brought into and out of, engagement by one continuous action. of said train, during a part ofits cycle.

.2. Ina time-controlled switch, the combination of a switcharm, electromagnetic means forreleasing the same, a circuit for said electromagnetic releasing means, and means for closing said circuit, consisting of apoweractuated train, a detentfor restraining said train, electromagnetic means for releasing said detent, and contact devices connected with said circuitand brought into and out of, engagementby one continuous action of said train duringa part of its cycle,and means for supplying a retarding force to said train.

3. In a'time;controlled switch, the conibi nation of a switcharm, electromagnetic power-actuated train, a detent iorrcstininjmg mid -train,electromagnetic means .forrelee-sing said detent,lafid-contact'devices connected with said circuit. and brought into and out of, engagement by one continuous action of said train, during a part of itscycle, and a magnetic brake retarding said train.

5 4. In a time-controlled switch, the combination of a switch-arm, an electromagnetic device for releasing the same, a circuit for said electromagnetic device, a slow-acting device for closing and opening'said circuit durl ing a part of one continuous movement, a de tent for restraining said slow-acting device, a second electromagnetic devicefor releasing said detent, and arelay controlling said sec ond electromagnetic device.

I 5. In a time-controlled switch, the combination of a switchearm, an electromagnetic device for releasing the same, a circuit for said electromagnetic device, said circuit having two sets of contacts, a slow-acting device which during part of one continuous movement closes and open" said circuit at one of said sets of contacts, a detent for restraining said slow-acting device, a second electromagnetic device for releasing said detent, and a relay acting to control the circuit through said second electromagnetic device, and also the circuit through said first electromagnetic device, at the second set of contacts.

6. In a time-controlled switch, the. combi-.

3o nation of a switch-arm, an electromagnetic device for releasing the same, a circuitfor saidelectromagnetic device, said circuit having two sets of contacts, aslow-acting device which during a art of one-continuous move- 3 5 ment closes and opens said circuit at one of said sets of contacts, a second electromagnetic device for controlling said slow-acting device, and a polarized relay acting to close the circuit through the said first electromagnetic device at the otherof said sets of'contacts, and also the circuit through said second electromagnetic device when magnetized by an abnormal current. 7. In a time-controlled switch, the combi- "nation of a'switch-arm, an electromagnetic device for releasing the same," a circuit for said electromagnetic device, aslow-acting device for closing and opening, said circuit at one point during-one continuous movement,

a second electromagnetic device for controlling saidslow-acting device, an inde endent circuit therefor, and a relay control g said independent circuit and also. at a second point, the circuit through said first electromagnetic device. 8. The combination of a gear-train, a brake therefor, means adapted to drive said train when free to move always in a forward direction, an electric circuit having two sets of contacts, an electromagnet controlled by 60. said circuit, means actuated by a'contmuous forward movement of said train so as to make and break said circuit at one of said sets of contacts, adetent for restraining said train from forward movement and an electro- 6 5 magnetic device for withdrawing said detent, a circuit for said electromagnetic device and means for closing said circuit and also the firstmentioned circuit at the second set of con- .tacts. 7c

' for restraining said train from forward move:

ment, an electromagnetic device for withdrawing said .detent, and a circuit through said device also controlled by said relay.

Signed at Great Barrington, Massachusetts, this 1st day of May, 1905.

EDGAR W. GOUGH.

Witnesses:

' F. L. SNow, J. G. FREIN. 

